The Ohio Democrat. (Logan, O. [Ohio]) 1886-1906, 1887-03-12

The following, tncn, will be the next point OF
our examination: Second, II can scarcely be
doubted that the forming Of associations and OF
ganizations Of the parties interested Is the best
means OF obtaining public object OF any Kind
the most natural and cfficacious. This Ia SC svi-
prt o our country ana society IN general SO
essentially popular that we need not dwell upon
the fact. 1T is, we might say, the only means by
the end desired to be attained by which force
con be given to the most legitimate resistance,
weight to the most just demands There exists
an organization which represents thousand ut
fractions, o thousand advantages, but which our
Cnthic toilers, md with fial submission re.
fuse to accept; u is the Masonic organization
Mr. Powdorly explicitly SAID, enlist the en-
ployer and employe in fraternity which is very
advantageous to the latter, but which has
scarcely one Catholic In Its ranks
The Cardinal then rings some changes on the
fnvorite Catholic theme, the danger OF the Mn-
sonic 6ro;th,crhood rho; and next he passes to
average feeling OF Americans. He makes a
stirring appeal to the church to beware OF get
in terms which, even through the imperfect me.
dium Of Indifferent French, arc eloquent, re.
minds the Propaganda that the !greatest and
iovo and devotion OF Americans lies in her be,
ing above all things "thc friend of the people,"
Various conscientious, more or less OF ecclesi-
0sticul interest, follow, some trifie redundant,
and then the Cardinal closes: To sum up, 1t
seems TO me plain that the Holy See cannot en-
tertnin the proposal to condemn the assOcia-
ton. First. because such u condemnation does
not appear to be Justified by the letter or by the
spirit Of its constitution, OF Its laws or by the
declarations Of its heads. Second that such %
condemnation does not appear necessary In
view OF the transient form OF the organization,
and Of the social condition OF the United States.
Third, that it would not be prudent
on account OF the reality Of the
wrongs OF the worSingmen and the
| fact that the existence OF such is allowed by
| the American public. Fourth, that II would be
| dangerous to the reputation Of the church in our
democratic country. Fifth that IL would be
| powerless to compel the obedience OF our Cath
olic worlsngmcn who would regard 1t as false
and iniquituous. Sixth, that 1t would be de-
| structive instead OF beneficial in It's effects,
| forcing the sons Of the church to rebel against
| their mother, and to range themselves with con-
| demned societies which they have hitherto
| avoided. Seventh, that II would he ruinous to
| the financial support Of the church ut home and
to the raising of Peters pence. Eighth, that 1t
would turn into doubt and hostility the marked
| devotion Of our people toward the Holy See.
| Ninth, that IT would be regarded as n cruel blow
| to the authority OF the Bishops Of the United
| States, who, II is well known, protest against
| such u condemnation.
I trust that the considerations here presented
| have shown sufficiently clearly that such would
| be the result OF the condemnation OF the
| knights Of Labor Of the United States. There
! fore leave their cause with full confidence in
| the wisdom and prudence Of your Eminence,
| and OF the Holy See.
j. CARDINAL GIBBONS,
Archbishop of Baltimore.